Apium graveolens var. dulce

L., (Mill.) D.C.

Celery, Stalk celery

Apiaceae Edible: Leaves, Stalks, Herb, Root, Spice, Seeds, Vegetable, Caution 5,185 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Apium graveolens, known in English as celery, is an Old World species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The species is widely naturalised outside of its natural range and is used as a vegetable; modern cultivars have been selected for their leaf stalks (celery), a large bulb-like hypocotyl (celeriac), and their leaves (leaf celery).

Description

A herb up to 1 m high. It has leaf stalks with ridges and they are like a half circle when cut across. The plant is strong smelling. The plant is smooth and hairless. The leaves are divided into a compound leaf. The wild plant has leaves in tufts from the base or spread along creeping stems. The flowers are white and in small compound arrangements where each flower is on a stalk from the same point.

Edible Uses

Wild celery was used for its medical properties and as a condiment by the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and also in China. The species was later developed as a vegetable, particularly in Italy from the 16th century. Modern cultivars have been selected for different uses, falling into three groups according to the part that is mainly eaten: Celery (Apium graveolens Dulce Group; syn. Apium graveolens var. dulce), is used for its leaf stalks, which may be eaten raw or cooked. Celeriac (Apium graveolens Rapaceum Group; syn. Apium graveolens var. rapaceum), is used for its swollen bulb-like hypocotyl. Leaf celery or smallage (Apium graveolens Secalinum Group; syn. Apium graveolens var. secalinum), has larger leaves; both the leaves and stems are eaten.

Traditional Uses

The leaf stalks are eaten raw or used to flavour foods. The leaves can also be used for flavouring. The dry ripe fruit can be used for flavouring. e.g. in salt. The juice is blended with other vegetable juices. Caution: It is not recommended in large amounts during pregnancy.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It is mainly grown in the highlands in the tropics. It grows up to about 2100 m altitude. It is damaged by frost. It often grows naturally in swampy conditions. In the tropical lowlands it grows as a small leafy plant but can be used for flavouring. Seed germination is best at 14-21°C. It requires a rich sandy loam soil. Because celery has shallow roots it needs plenty of moisture and does best in humus rich soils. It does best with temperatures below 26°C. It needs a pH between 5.8-7.0. It suits plant hardiness zones 5-10.

Where It Grows

Africa, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Britain, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caucasus, Central Africa, Chad, China, Cook Islands, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe*, Fiji, France, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary,India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Sahel, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkey, Türkiye, Tuvalu, USA, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are mostly grown from seed and transplanted. Seedlings are spaced at 10-25 cm apart. To produce white stalks, the plant is wrapped up or soil is mounded up around the plant. Newer varieties will naturally form whiter stalks. Plants should be grown close together to keep sunlight off the stalks. This applies especially for the naturally whitening (blanching) varieties. The stalks are cut before the plant flowers.

Production

Leaf stalks take about 9 months from seed until harvest.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Plants are fairly commonly seen in highland markets in Papua New Guinea.

Notes

There are about 20 Apium species.

Synonyms

Apium dulce Mill.

Also Known As

Hon k'an, Seledri

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